..."In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be whatever I want to be..."

Friday, March 06, 2009

Fabulous Find For A Friday----A Book

I love books.

I love stories.

I love words.

I just finished "The Book Thief" this morning, and like many before me, was very touched by this book. If you haven't read it, take the time to read it. It is very much worth it.

Not for just the story, which is moving and brought me to tears, but for the message----that words are one of the most important things that we possess. They can make you feel, can change your mind, can give you courage, can corrupt you, can soothe you, can touch your soul, and can even make you weep.

I still remember at a very young age looking at books. At first it was the pictures, the smell, the sturdiness, the fascination of what I would experience when I opened a book each time. Then, when I learned to read, I started to devour each book----sometimes not stopping to relish the cover or the feel and smell of each new book. It was like I couldn't get enough of reading. I had some rough times when I was growing up, (maybe someday I will reveal these trials---but not today) and I discovered that I could forget everything when I was reading.

Then, as I got a bit older and suffered from those awful stages of growing up, (I'm sure we have all been there) I realized that books were my best friends. I began to cherish each one. When I would go to the library, I would get so excited by the anticipation of what I would find there. It was like discovering new friends each time---but the hard part was when I had to take them back. I couldn't wait until the day that I could keep each book that I read, so that I could have my friends all around me all the time.

I still remember the love, yes love, that I would feel for each book. I found that I enjoyed reading all types of books----it was like a passion. I read voraciously. I would even read my older sister's Literature books, just to read the stories. My mother used to take my books away if I didn't get my chores done. She knew that it was the best way to punish me. I would do just about anything to get my books back!

When I was in junior high school, and even through high school, I couldn't wait for a period at school that was one that I could read in. I would often get my work done as quickly as possible in class, so that I could go back to my reading and put myself into another time and place. There were days that I remember walking to my next period/class in a daze----still totally immersed in the story that I had been reading.

In my first marriage, I didn't have an easy time. (This is another story that perhaps I will share someday---it isn't pretty.) I found that because I wasn't getting the love and positive feelings from my spouse I turned once more to books to fulfill a need that I couldn't find in my marriage. I read some pretty lousy romance type novels, as I longed for that feeling of first love again. I used books to get me through what I thought was a situation that would never end.

Thankfully, it did, and I was able, after 18 years, to move on in my life and find the amazing husband that I now have. He fulfills the gap that I had with my first husband and I find that I don't need to read those kind of books anymore. I can go back to just reading what ever I feel like----good literature----amazing stories.

So, now I still cherish books. I have this passion about owning each book that I read. People are amazed that I don't use the library to get my books from---and are quite perplexed by my conviction to own each book. I have tried to collect the books that I read in the past, also, as I was growing up. I sometimes frequent book sales at antique stores or flea markets in hopes of finding one of those books. And when I do, I get so excited. I pick up the book and caress it, holding it carefully as I open it to examine the words, and pages. The smell, the feeling of sturdiness, the images of where I was at that time in my life all come rushing back.

I have found my friend again. But this time, I can have it near.

I do have some favorite books. I once wrote a blog about some of them. I have read so many books, that I couldn't possibly list all of them or even remember all of them, so it is hard to compile a list, but you can read about some of my favorites here.

Also, if you ever decide to join Good Reads----or not----we can share books. Some of my books are here.

I re-read the post about some of favorite books and realized that I had written some of the same experiences that I just wrote about here----so just skip over that and go to the list of books----that's what is important, anyway.

Well, I started out writing about this great book that I found, "The Book Thief" and ended up writing too much about the "fabulous find" of books in general.

13 comments:

What a great post...I love books and especially love a really good book! There have been times I've finished a great book and couldn't start another one just yet because I was still feeling such an impact of emotions from the last book...it didn't feel right to pick up another one so quickly!

I will definitely have to check out this one you're suggesting...thanks for sharing!

When I was a kid I belonged to a Book of the Month club. Probably only for a year as Mom was thrifty. When my sisters left home and got married and had kids my books mysteriously disappeared. I saw one on my sister's book shelf, "No Children, No Pets." I was too angry to ask for it and then later found out she sent my book to DI. I found it on ebay but was outbid. I'm going now to see what your faves are.

I too love books!! My problem is that I am such a slow reader that my list is soooo long and I don't finish very many. But I love how they take you to a different world where you can get all encompassed by it and forget your own worries. I want to check out the book you are talking about. I'm on Goodreads and I tried to add you...I don't really get how it works.

I completely relate to this post. I was always very social, and yet I never felt as "connected" as I did with some authors or their characters. I tend to read 'authors', instead of genres. I love good writing, and the power that language has to influence our entire perspective on the world.

Thank you for dropping by my blog, by the way. You're a great writer, and saying "Hi" back there gave me a chance to visit you!

I'm going to have to look you up on goodreads. I love reading and usually have more than one book going at a time. Luckily, I was able to save a few of the original books from my childhood before my mom donated them. I just keep adding bookshelves-I love the feel, the weight, the smell of a book not mention actually reading it.

I totally know what you're talking about here! I grew up the same way, but I didn't have the benefit of the library experience. I find myself hording books as an adult now. Love 'em. It's so good to hear someone else feels the same thing!

I just finished this book. I stayed in bed all day just to read it. I had to stop before the end as I was sobbing hysterically. Gained a tiny bit of composure and finished it. It's one of those books you can't loan out for fear it won't be returned.